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BBC-Funded Rap Stars Accused of Glorifying Terror Still Set for Glastonbury Despite Backlash

BBG News

Three weeks past, I basked in the applause of countless devoted admirers at one of the globe’s most celebrated music events.

One band member donned an Irish tricolor balaclava as the West Belfast hip-hop group showcased their unique flair to the audience at Coachella, which resembles the more lavish American counterpart of Glastonbury.

In a lively atmosphere, rapper Mo Chara joked with his audience, “For those pondering, Margaret Thatcher remains deceased,” before instigating a joyful rendition of ‘Maggie’s in a box,’ set to the melody of Give It Up by KC and the Sunshine Band.

Afterward, he delivered a speech criticizing the ongoing “British control” over Ireland and the alleged “more oppressive control” in Palestine.

With the crowd erupting in cheers, he ended his speech with a phrase commonly uttered by IRA extremists – ‘Tiocfaidh ár lá’, which translates to ‘The time will come for us’.

In summary, the past two years have been exceptionally successful for the group known as Kneecap, with them receiving significant recognition despite allegations that their actions are often seen as promoting terrorism and fueling religious strife.

The group is under scrutiny for consistently incorporating symbols associated with the Irish Republican Army, such as portraying themselves with pictures of burning petrol bombs next to politicians, which might give an impression of appealing to a younger audience who were spared the tragic violence of the conflict known as the Troubles, that violent republicanism is trendy.

The trio, initially unrecognized beyond Northern Ireland, gained worldwide fame due to their ‘rebellious’ image, which eventually led them to be cast in a blockbuster movie that was inspired by their real-life stories.

Since January 2024, The Mail has been delving into the activities of Kneecap, uncovering a troubling collection of social media content and communications by the band that suggest they endorse terror attacks as forms of resistance. Furthermore, this investigation reveals an alarming trend of growing admiration among young people for the IRA, as well as an apparent glorification of violence in their music by Kneecap.

Remarkably, as these events unfolded, we discovered that the group and their film received £1.6million in public funds and received praise from the BBC. The irony lies in the fact that it was their intense performance at Coachella that ultimately exposed Kneecap’s repugnant views to a broader audience.

Over a short span of merely a few days, the group, known by the name reminiscent of paramilitary retribution through knee shootings, have experienced a sudden severance from their American patron and talent representative, had several prominent performances called off, and been criticized by British politicians across party lines.

In a startling turn of events, counter-terrorism officials are currently conducting an inquiry regarding videos that claim they were expressing backing for terrorist organizations at performances.

The downfall started when, infuriated that their politically charged antics during their initial Coachella performance were edited out from the live stream broadcast, they decided to perform their subsequent set with a message reading “F Israel, Free Palestine” displayed prominently on the stage’s backdrop.

In the following days, videos surfaced from a Kneecap concert held last year, showing one participant seemingly shouting “Long live Hamas, long live Hezbollah,” while waving the banner of these two outlawed organizations (Hamas and Hezbollah). These groups are recognized as terrorist organizations within the United Kingdom.

In November 2023, they’re under increased investigation by Scotland Yard following footage uncovered by The Mail from a concert. This video seems to capture a member of their group making the statement: “The only acceptable Tory is a deceased one. Eliminate your local representative.

In response to unparalleled criticism, Kneecap eventually extended their apologies to the families mourning the slain politicians Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, who were among those expressing disapproval.

Besides refuting allegations of backing Hamas or Hezbollah, the band asserted their disapproval towards any assaults on civilians. Simultaneously, they accused the British establishment of instigating a defamatory propaganda against them, which they termed as a ‘smear campaign’.

This week, Kneecap received backing from numerous musicians such as Pulp, Paul Weller, the Pogues, Primal Scream, and BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, among others. They all put their names on a public statement released by Heavenly Recordings, expressing concern over what they perceive as an effort to suppress and remove Kneecap’s platform due to a perceived attempt at censorship.

In our role as artists, it’s important for us to express our disagreement with any political restrictions on creative liberty.

Kneecap themselves affirmed that their band’s message has consistently been about love, acceptance, and optimism.

There seems to be scant proof of this alleged method in Kneecap’s past, as the band was established in 2017 by rappers Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, aged 26), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin, aged 30), and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who is 34).

As someone who’s deeply interested in demographics and historical events, let me share an interesting observation. If we look at today’s generation, many were born around the late 90s, specifically around the time of the 1994 IRA ceasefire and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. These significant milestones marked a period of relative peace in our history, which has undeniably shaped the lives of this generation in unique ways.

In the past, various generations experienced the period known as The Troubles, a time when over 3,600 lives were tragically lost. Approximately half of these deaths were carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), with numerous young children also among the casualties.

According to them, they penned their initial melody as a response to an encounter with law enforcement, having been apprehended for spray-painting the term ‘cearta’, or ‘rights’ in Irish, onto a bus shelter.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement over their debut track, C.E.A.R.T.A – a fiery Irish rap that took aim at police efforts to curb our highs. This powerful piece, laced with Irish language and raw emotion, managed to secure playlist status on RTE, only to be withdrawn following listener complaints about its drug-related themes.

In the visuals for their song H.O.O.D, one of the band members is depicted brandishing a spiked hurling stick beside a policeman bound to a chair. The song’s lyrics pose a question: “Would you prefer it aimed at your chest, your knees, or your head?

In 2019, the group echoed a rallying cry of ‘Brits Out’ at the Empire Music Hall in Belfast, following a visit by Prince William and Kate the previous day. Later, Kneecap asserted on Twitter that the chant was actually referring to Brexit. (X refers to additional information or context provided elsewhere.)

DJ Provaí explained that he started donning a balaclava during his performances to conceal his identity from the school where he taught Irish. However, his job ended in 2020 when his superiors were made aware of a video from one of his shows, which depicted him painting “Brits out” on his backside.

In the year 2021, Kneecap reshared a media update indicating an increase in teenage backing for the IRA online, commenting, “At last, some positive news.

The collective publicized their Farewell To The Union tour using an unusual image featuring Boris Johnson, then prime minister, and Arlene Foster, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, seated on a rocket positioned above a bonfire. Two musicians were depicted kneeling at the base of this setup, seemingly holding a Molotov cocktail.

In the year 2022, the group revealed a massive painting depicting a police Land Rover engulfed in flames, accompanied by an Irish phrase meaning ‘No welcome for the Royal Ulster Constabulary’. This graphic display stirred strong reactions among locals, as over 300 officers from the RUC lost their lives during the conflict known as The Troubles.

Lately, Kneecap has adopted an equally strong stance regarding the Middle Eastern conflict. A week following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 lives in Israel, they shared a photo of the Palestinian flag with the caption “Resistance is not Terrorism.

In London two months after their initial meeting, band member Mo Chara once more emphasized his continued support for the Palestinian cause when they encountered Jeremy Corbyn.

In conclusion of the interview, the ex-Labour leader expressed his gratitude by saying, ‘Thank you all for inspiring countless individuals with your efforts.’

The musical group has also received backing from previous Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and since 2019, they have been overseen by Daniel Lambert, a former United Nations diplomat for Ireland who also used to work in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ Peace Resolution Unit, collaborating with peacebuilding organizations.

Regardless of his personal history, Mr. Lambert expressed on Twitter that Gaza is fighting for freedom and has the legal right to defend itself with arms, as recognized by international law.

Additionally, he posted a picture featuring the deceased October 7 mastermind, Yahya Sinwar, along with a statement from the Hamas leader that reads: ‘Are we supposed to act as peaceful martyrs when we’re being slaughtered?’

A legal representative for Mr Lambert denied the posts amounted to praise of Hamas.

In Northern Ireland, Kneecap had a certain level of backing. However, it was their unique combination of substantial government aid and excessive media attention from the BBC that ultimately catapulted them into the limelight.

One resident of Belfast commented this week, “They’re merely three small-time troublemakers who likely wouldn’t have gone far if not for those who should have wisely guided them, extending their reach beyond the Falls Road.

In spite of significant apprehensions regarding this organization, a sum of 1.6 million pounds from the public purse was allocated to finance a movie that bore its name and featured its members in key roles.

The project obtained £810,000 from the National Lottery, and this money, intended for promoting the general welfare, was administered by the British Film Institute. They clarified to the Mail that their funding does not imply an endorsement of the film’s political content or statements made by those associated with it.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that an additional £805,000 was contributed, with a significant piece coming from Northern Ireland Screen. Notably, this sum includes funds channeled from the UK taxpayer-supported Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

Upon the revelation of this matter by The Mail, it stirred profound shock within me and others who have suffered injuries or lost dear ones during the Troubles. As a former British soldier, now 60 years old, I tragically lost a limb in an IRA car bombing of 1990. When I learned that public funds were utilized to produce a film advocating for ‘sectarian bigots,’ I was deeply appalled and disheartened.

In January 2024, the band received significant assistance in their effort to enhance their public image, as a favorable BBC feature on them was broadcast continuously throughout the Radio 4 Today program and national news broadcasts on television.

The article positioned Kneecap as a leading force in Irish hip-hop, yet briefly mentioned their past issues. During an interview, the journalist didn’t press on the band’s controversial background, allowing them to claim that they focus on creating music rather than causing conflicts. Instead of probing further, she switched the conversation to learn some Irish from them instead.

The BBC ensured that viewers were informed about the potentially contentious elements of Kneecap’s artistic endeavors.

In the subsequent week, Kneecap made their way to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah for the premiere of their film, riding in an armored police Land Rover adorned with their band’s tag. Their movie clinched the Audience Award at the festival and later bagged a BAFTA. Furthermore, esteemed musicians like Sir Elton John showered them with praise, labeling them ‘extraordinary’.

Following the initial Mail article on Kneecap, Kemi Badenoch, who was the Business Secretary at that time, prevented the organization from obtaining a grant that had originally been allotted to them by the British Phonographic Industry. In simpler terms, when the story about Kneecap broke in the Mail, Kemi Badenoch stopped them from getting a grant they were supposed to receive from the British Phonographic Industry.

However, the band filed a lawsuit, alleging discrimination based on nationality and political beliefs. When the newly elected Labour Government chose not to contest the case, Kneecap received £14,250 in Belfast High Court. The band celebrated their win, bragging they had obtained some of the ‘King’s funds’, but in reality, they had only received additional money from diligent taxpayers.

Ms Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer have both spoken out about the need for legal action against those involved in a recent video that surfaced, which they deemed ‘totally inappropriate’. The Prime Minister has additionally announced that no more government funds will be allocated to them.

For added complexity, some supporters of the group have criticized Kneecap, labeling them as ‘sellers’ due to their decision to offer an apology.

Consequences led to their removal from multiple German festivals as well as a performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall. In Belfast, the DUP demanded the band’s exclusion from an upcoming city concert, expressing worries about promoting terrorism and instigating violence.

Although the Board of Deputies of British Jews and some MPs have advocated for their removal, the group remains set to perform at Glastonbury next month. Katie Amess, daughter of the late MP David Amess from Southend West, expressed concern, stating it could be potentially hazardous for them to take the stage.

It’s difficult to comprehend how the band’s endorsements of terrorist organizations and threats against Members of Parliament align with Glastonbury’s aim for a “welcoming and tolerant” global community.

However, should Kneecap argue that their message encompasses ‘love, acceptance, and optimism’, then the realm of possibilities expands significantly.

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2025-05-03 00:05

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